If you are looking for a cool way to teach about basics of countires of the world to kids our World Country Flashcards are a great option.
MALAYSIA FACTS FOR KIDS
Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo.
QUICK FACTS
Official name: Malaysia |
Capital: Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya |
Official Language: Malay |
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit |
Continent: Asia |
Population: 32.37 million |
Major rivers: Ranjang river, Maliau river, Klang river |
Major Cities: Kota Kinabalu, Malacca, George Town, Kuching |
Major Mountains: Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tahan, Mount korbu |
National Sport: Sepak Takraw |
National Bird: Rhinoceros Hornbill |
National Tree: The Merbau |
National Animal: The Malayan Tiger |
National Flower: The Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis |
National Fruit: Papaya |
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Malaysia consists of two geographical regions separated by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia borders Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south. Malaysian Borneo or East Malaysia is located on the northern part of the island of Borneo, a huge, rugged island in the Malay Archipelago and the third largest island in the world. East Malaysia borders Indonesia and surrounds the Sultanate of Brunei Malaysia shares maritime borders with the Philippines and Vietnam.
Malaysia enjoys tropical weather year-round however due to its proximity to water the climate is often quite humid. Despite this, the weather is never too hot and temperatures range from a mild 20°C to 30°C on average throughout the year; however, the highlands experience cooler temperatures.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Malaysia's people are a mix of three major ethnic groups, each with its heritage, culture, and tradition. 60% of the population are Bumiputera, a term that describes the traditional inhabitants of the country and includes Malays, Orang Asli, and other indigenous peoples. Minorities are Chinese, about 20%, and Indians (6%).
Malaysia is a multi-cultural society. The main ethnic groups are the native Malays as well as large populations of Chinese, and Indians. the three values system in Malaysia is; respect for others, faith in God, humility, indirectness, and politeness. Some traditional Malay dishes are pulut kuning (yellow glutinous rice) with beef rendang, nasi briyani, nasi minyak, lamb soup and kurma daging.
THE FLAG
The national flag of Malaysia, also known as the Stripes of Glory, is composed of a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes along the fly and a blue canton bearing a crescent and a 14-point star. The crescent represents Islam, the country's state religion; the blue canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people; the color yellow of the star and crescent is the royal color of the Malay rulers.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Plant species are estimated to have over 15,500 vascular plants. Hibiscus, Malaysia's national flower, the Hibiscus, can be seen growing in most parts of the country. Orchids, Rafflesia, Ixora, Sabah Highlands Pitcher Plant, Sabahan Yellowwood Pine, and bougainvillea add to the list.
Malaysia is home to 368 species of fish, 746 species of birds, 300 species of mammals, 379 reptile species, and 198 amphibian species. The vibrant wildlife of Malaysia includes the Malayan Tiger, Malayan Tapir, Hornbill, Mouse Deer, Crab-eating Macaque, Sun Bear, Bornean Orangutan, and Slow Loris. The Malaysian jungle is home to black leopards, elephants, rhinos, civets, tree squirrels, silvered leaf monkeys, and many other unique creatures.
POPULAR SPORT
Malaysians love sports. They play various types of sports badminton, bowling, field hockey, tennis, squash, golf, horse riding, sailing, martial arts, and skateboarding. But when it comes to sports, one sport, in particular, has a somewhat universal appeal for Malaysians and that is football. The Malaysian national football team, the Harimau Malaysia, first made their international dent when they took the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Blue Mosque, Shah Alam: Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah is Selangor’s State Mosque, also known as ‘The Blue Mosque. These 14 hectares of spiritual sanctuary house nine galleries exhibiting a rich array of Islamic arts such as calligraphy, sculptures, paintings, and architecture. The site is occasionally used for traditional Islamic performances.
Petronas Tower: The Petronas Twin Tower is the most famous landmark and an iconic structure in Malaysia. The twin towers are situated in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Its mind-boggling height, modern architecture, and location have made it an important tourist attraction in the city. The tower is 451.9 meters tall. The two breathtaking Towers are joined on the 41st and 42nd floor by a spectacular double Decker Skybridge. The 192-feet-long bridge is the highest two-story bridge in the world.
Masjid Negara: The National Mosque of Malaysia is Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated among 13 acres of gardens. Its key features are a 73-meter-high minaret and a 16-pointed star concrete main roof.
Sulthan Abdul Samad Building: The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is one of the historical landmarks in the city center Inside the Sultan Abdul Samad building is the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia. The building has a shiny copper dome and a clock tower that is 40 meters high. The building serves as a backdrop for many essential events in the country.
Puta Mosque, Putrajaya: Wherever you go in Putrajaya you are bound to catch a glimpse of Putra Mosque, Putrajaya's famous pink mosque. The mosque is located on the edge of Putrajaya Lake in the heart of the city. Putra Mosque combines Middle Eastern and traditional Malay design elements in its architecture. It is named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tungku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
If you liked this article you are sure to like these items on our product portfolio
Creative Brain World Countries Flashcards for kids
Youn Explorer's World map for kids
CONTRIBUTED BY:
Saffura is a mother of three. She is a yoga instructor and has spent a lot of time teaching yoga for children. She narrates numerous stories to inculcate moral values in children, as she is certain that yoga is for the body and soul. As a mother and yoga instructor, She enjoys new tasks and likes multitasking. She truly believes that will mould her into a strong writer. As a writer she does a lot of research and pays keen attention to details.